Leading business organisations have expressed serious concern over the ongoing shutdown by officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), warning that the disruption is severely affecting export-import activities and overall trade in Bangladesh.

At a joint press conference held on Saturday at a city hotel, top chamber leaders called on both the interim government and protesting NBR officials to engage in dialogue immediately to resolve the crisis without halting customs operations, which they described as the ‘lifeline of the economy.’

Mahbubur Rahman, President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh, emphasised the vital importance of continuous interaction between the government and the private sector.

He criticised the prolonged stalemate at the NBR, which has now extended beyond a month, and condemned the recent total shutdown of customs activities.

He warned that the ongoing strike threatens critical sectors such as ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, leather, and footwear, which collectively account for a significant portion of the country’s export earnings.

Mahbubur Rahman urged both the government and NBR officials to prioritise negotiation without preconditions to prevent further economic damage.

He also warned NBR officials against continuing the strike, noting that as government employees they should not engage in protest actions akin to trade union movements.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, called for urgent talks involving relevant government ministries, including Finance, Commerce and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, under the Chief Adviser’s leadership to end the impasse swiftly.

He appealed to the protesting officials to resume work promptly for the sake of the national economy.

Parvez added that the crisis could be resolved through inclusive dialogue, where dedicated officials could contribute positively under a transparent and logical reform of the NBR.

Exporters present at the event voiced deep concerns about the risk of losing fresh orders from global buyers due to shipment delays caused by the NBR strike.

Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the shutdown was disrupting trade activities worth approximately Tk 25 billion daily, threatening the survival of the export sector already under pressure.

Syed Nasim Manzur, President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, highlighted the disruption to supply chains and questioned the negative message the shutdown sends to international buyers.

He stressed the need for timely and transparent reforms at the NBR that would ease business costs while safeguarding the futures of the officials involved.

Showkat Aziz Russel, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, criticised the power dynamics at play within the NBR, suggesting that businesses are often at the mercy of customs officials and calling for an end to the ongoing impasse that hampers growth.

The event was also attended by prominent figures such as Kamran Tanvir Rahman of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain, BTMA former president A Matin Chowdhury, Fazlee Ehsan Shamim of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Md Shahriar of BGAPMEA.